Thomas Sergent, Palissy style charger, circa 1870
Thomas Victor Sergent’s works reveal how important Bernard Palissy was in the XIXth century, and the type of mythology related to his production. After a series of experiments on coloured enamel, Palissy specialized in polychrome enamel ceramics. A number of artists in Tours, and later in Paris, claim to belong to this tradition and brought back to life the character of this very specific type of ceramics which Palissy himself called « rustiques figulines ». Thomas Victor Sergent worked in Paris from 1870 to 1885 and took part in this passion. He may be considered one of the three most important followers of Palissy in the XIXth century, together with Victor Barbizet (1805-1870) and Georges Pull (1810-1889).
Sergent stands out for the technical quality of his hard enamels, which puts his vivacious and contrasted colours into relief.He particularly appreciated bright cobalt blue. He used moulding more frequently than modelling, though both techniques can often be found together.
